The Altus Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board for 2002, Riley "Nub" Smith, was bestowed with the highest award the city has to offer; the Altus Award. The presentation took place by Randy Cumby, the current chairman of the board, at the 95th annual Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday evening.

Before receiving his award, Smith took the podium after having been given a 15-minute time limit to do so, in a humerous way, by Cumby. He spoke of accomplishments made by the chamber in 2002, such as the record setting auction for the children of Jackson County that raised $165,000. He then made several presentations of his own to retiring chamber directors.

Smith now serves as the vice president of the economic development division for the chamber.